O Zeus, O Earth, O Sun, O Night!
Whether by charms or by wizardry,
Or stolen by Gods—not there was she!
What chanced thereafter I know not, I;
For with stealthy feet from the halls did I fly.
Ah, with manifold travail and weary pain1500
Menelaus hath won from Troy again
Helen his bride—in vain!
Chorus.
But unto strange things, lo, strange things succeed;
For sword in hand before the halls I see
Orestes come with passion-fevered feet.1505
Enter Orestes.
Orestes.
Where is he that fleeing from the palace hath escaped my sword?
Phrygian.
Crouching to thee in barbaric wise I grovel, O my lord!
Orestes.
Out! No Ilium this is, but the land of Argos spreads hereby.
Phrygian.
Everywhere shall wise men better love to cling to life than die.
Orestes.
Didst thou not to Menelaus shout the rescue-cry but now?1510
